Updated Nov. 11, 2025 at 9:35 p.m.
CRANE HILL, Ala. – Smith Lake Baptist Church is inviting the community to take part in its Food Drive and Thanksgiving Dinner Box outreach, an effort to bless local families in need this Thanksgiving season.
The food drive is happening now, running through Nov. 14, with donations being accepted at the church pavilion. Requested items include canned vegetables, canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, boxed mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, small hams or turkeys and other nonperishable food items.
The initiative will culminate with the distribution of free Thanksgiving dinner boxes on Saturday, Nov. 15, available to those in need by request only. All requests will be confidential and can be made by messaging event organizer Jamie Hutchins. Box pickup will take place at Smith Lake Baptist Church from noon-1 p.m.
Hutchins said the food drive marks the start of a new “serve team” at the Smith Lake Baptist Church, an outreach effort centered on identifying and meeting local needs. “We have been praying for God to show us a need in our community to serve, and this is the greatest need He showed us,” she said.
She added that the goal is not just to provide food, but to show care and compassion to those who may be struggling this season. “We want the community to know that there are people in this community who see them, love them and will be there in their time of need,” Hutchins shared.
For more information, or to donate or request a Thanksgiving box, contact Jamie Hutchins at 256-347-6883. Smith Lake Baptist Church is located at 18585 County Road 222 in Crane Hill. The pavilion is located directly behind the church.
